Compromises for the Sake of Travel

Every fortnight I receive my government pension, and the first thing I do is squirrel away what I can in a Savings account (with a different bank, so there’s less temptation to spend).

If you saw me on the street, you wouldn’t remark on my clothing. I look very average - clean and well put together, but with fabrics mostly from Kmart and Best ‘n’ Less. I tend to wear the same types of leggings every day, which set me back all of $8 each. My scrunchies are from Daiso, the budget Japanese department store, where everything is $3.30.

I also rely on free sources of music, such as the app RadioGarden. It’s not common for me to buy CDs. Or DVDs. On the odd occasion I want to watch Netflix, I log in to Dad’s account. 

Some people invest in language courses or weekly martial arts classes. I regard them with envy. Others pour their money into pets, but when you’re away from home for over 4 weeks each year, having an animal dependent on you doesn’t seem like a bright idea… even though I remember how rewarding having a cat was, back in my childhood. 

Others still dine in upscale restaurants, enjoying culinary innovation which I mostly only dream of. Or they might pay the fee of belonging to an exclusive club or membership. 

Most of my money goes on travel, which means I choose to miss out on all of the things listed above.

For now, I still regard it as worth it. Whether this will remain the case as I get older, I don’t know. Maybe the inconvenience and hardship of travel will eventually become reason enough to divest from it. I have given much thought on saving for a property - maybe this will become more prominent.

But highest on my priority list is finding out what Rothenburg ob der Tauber is like, on the ground. I’m too curious about the delights of Dresden to let it go undiscovered much longer. I long to find out just what makes Porto such a lucrative spot for travellers following the trends. (Trends can deliver, as was the case with Bologna.)

So I intend to keep compromising, and keep travelling. My spending is in line with my values, which include: education, new experiences, self-development and enriching my feminism.

Maybe we can meet on the road one day, you can divulge your thoughts with me over a stimulating beverage, and I can wait patiently as you delve into the finer points of your mental journeys…places you might not often get to share. We can be attentive to the nuances of the conversation, supporting each other in our processes. Travel brings possibilities - for connections like these, and many more.